Taiwan is said to have obtained permission to use Israel's
spy satellite to obtain information on military installations in China.
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Israel's Eros-A satellite.
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Neither Israel nor Taiwan confirmed the report. Eros-A was launched last
December.
The newspaper said the Eros-A satellite allowed Taiwan its first look
inside China. Until now, Taiwan's reconnaissance was limited to the Chinese
coast.
"Taiwan is authorized to fully control the satellite whenever it flies
within a range of 1,000 kilometers of the nation's satellite ground signal
station," the newspaper said. "Taiwan is able to spy on any targets [in
China] it desires. In the past Taiwan was only able to spy on the mainland's
coastal and southeastern part through reconnaissance aircraft. Now, Taiwan
gets clearer pictures of the mainland's military establishments."
The Chinese-language newspaper said Taiwan has also signed an accord for
use in three Eros-class satellites planned for launch over the next five
years. Eros is
owned by a consortium led by the state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries.
Meanwhile, in Tel Aviv, Israel's state-owned defense industry has unveiled a new
air-to-ground bomb.
Israel Military Industries has been producing the runway attack
munition, or RAM, for the Israel Air Force. The 1,000 pound bomb contains
submunitions and can be dropped from an altitude of up to 15,000 feet.
Industry sources said the RAM is meant to destroy airports and air
fields of enemy air forces. The RAM blasts craters in runways and spreads
delayed bombs that explode hours after the attack.
IMI completed development of the RAM in 1997. The air force is believed
to have acquired the bomb over the last two years.
The air force has deployed the RAM on the F-16 and IMI is promoting
export of the bomb. IMI executives said an undisclosed number of countries
have expressed interest. IMI, the executives said, is nearing completion for
a deal with one of the countries.
